Well said, Julie. While I disagree with Ted Kennedy's policies and hate his sins -- especially the public scandal he has created by supporting abortion, God commands me to love him as a child of God. This is really not about our feelings, but it's about obeying God. It's about being loving and merciful as God is merciful. I also see this illness as a blessing from God -- an opportunity for him to repent. God is drawing him closer to His heart and opening up a door for him. This must be a very painful time for him and his family and if I were in his shoes, I would want others to pray for me.
Jean | Homepage | 05.21.08 - 1:38 pm | #

Julie, I would never think that just because you pray for him that you agree with him.

But find I can't pray for him beyond what I put in my blog, I pray that he repents the evil he has fought for and defended all his adult life before he has to face his judgment.

It's not about me forgiving him. He hasn't done anything to me for me to forgive. Nor am I aware that he has repented of anything, for me to forgive.

What it's about, in my view, is that Kennedy has made himself my enemy, and God's, and the enemy of tens millions of the unborn whose killing he has facilitated and supported. I'm glad he'll die soon. "This is the work of the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes."
Paul, Just This Guy, You Know? | Homepage | 05.21.08 - 4:44 pm | #

God bless Mary Jo Kopechne.
Mack | 05.21.08 - 7:02 pm | #

Lord, I know what I believe Ted Kennedy deserves. Please don't give him that. Give him what you think he deserves, and leave our consideration of him out of it. I leave him in your hands.

Amen.
Jake Was Here | 05.21.08 - 9:51 pm | #

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Mike | 05.21.08 - 10:01 pm | #

I'd pray for a dog with a malignant tumor, so sure I'd pray for Ted Kennedy.

But I would like to remind people that he has been a force for good in protecting the rights of the disabled, apparently in honor of his sister who was retarded. This isn't something we hear a lot about, so I thought I'd remind folks.
Maureen | 05.22.08 - 7:04 am | #

Hmm. I could have put that better.

"I'd pray for a dog with a malignant tumor, so sure I'd pray for Ted Kennedy. He's a man. Whatever else he's done, he deserves to be treated with dignity, like a human being."
Maureen | 05.22.08 - 7:07 am | #

I hope for Kennedy still. Consider...

At the time Roe was first decided, Kennedy was a staunch pro-lifer. Only later did he give in to the temptation of an easy life. Of all the Catholic pro-abort politicos at the Popes recent Mass, Kennedy was the only one to hold himself back from the Eucharist. I think he knows what he's done. I think he knows the reality that he's lived. The question is, will he admit it publicly.

If he'll only see it as such, he's been given a tremendous opportunity and a great potential for grace. He has the opportunity to say - very publicly - "I was wrong. I supported abortion for personal gain. May God have mercy on my soul." That would turn his terrible evils into a great good. Please, Lord, let him see.

His actions in the next few months - maybe only a year - could be of great importance. He could change the tone of the debate, at least for a little while, or he could die wretched. Please, Lord, let him see.

Yes, I hope for Kennedy still, and I pray most ardently for him.
Mark Windsor | Homepage | 05.22.08 - 8:34 am | #

What it's about, in my view, is that Kennedy has made himself my enemy, and God's, and the enemy of tens millions of the unborn whose killing he has facilitated and supported.

Paul, consider those words of yours and then think about the fact that if someone is your enemy then you do have something to forgive that person. It is nice if they repent, but quite often in real life, forgiveness is mandated as in Matthew 18:21-22: Then Peter approaching asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?"

Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.

Consider also, that God extends forgiveness to us before we ask for it as with the father running to the prodigal son. He does not know that the son is going to ask for forgiveness. He extends it anyway. Thus is the example we are to follow.
Julie D. | Homepage | 05.22.08 - 8:40 am | #

And that is why there is no substitute for the voice of Julie D. in the Catholic blogosphere.
Paul, Just This Guy, You Know? | Homepage | 05.22.08 - 9:39 am | #

I certainly don't wish this fate on Ted K., but I have to admit that he does seem to finally be getting the karma he is due. Still, if we all got what we deserved from God, most of us (me, at least) would be in really bad shape, so I guess I will leave it up to God and hope that the suffering of his family is minimzed.
class factotum | Homepage | 05.22.08 - 3:47 pm | #

I do hope that he makes a full recovery--Iwouldn't wish a brain tumor on anyone. But, I also pray that Mr. Kennedy has time to repent.
Rita | Homepage | 05.22.08 - 6:41 pm | #

If he doesn't repent, maybe his punishment will be to come face to face with the millions of disembered, chemically doused babies he helped to destroy.
Mary | 05.27.08 - 5:55 pm | #

Perhaps, and I'm not forgetting that, but it is not our place to imagine or hope for his punishment. As Jesus told the disciples (and I wish I could remember just where it is), we need to worry about ourselves and the final judgment, not about everyone else.
Julie D. | Homepage | 05.28.08 - 11:04 am | #